5 Important Questions to Ask When You Get a New Tesla

Buying a new Tesla marks a huge milestone. It can be a time of great excitement, but it may also be a time filled with questions about the proper care and maintenance. Understandably, you might be searching for a good resource that provides answers to some of the most important Tesla questions new owners need answered. To help with this, we’re addressing the five most important questions for new Tesla owners as they embark on their new electric journey. 

1. How Do I Set Up Autopilot Correctly?

One of the most common questions that comes up for new Tesla owners is whether or not they have set up autopilot correctly. This is an understandable concern, as autopilot is one of the most sought after Tesla features.

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Engaging Traffic-Aware Cruise Control

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One great way to get more familiarized with the driving assistance options is to begin utilizing the Traffic-Aware Cruise Control. This feature matches the speed of your car to that of the surrounding traffic. Keep in mind that this feature still requires the driver to steer and change lanes, so it’s a great way to dip your toe into the various driving assistance features you have access to. To engage the Traffic-Aware Cruise Control feature:

• (For Model S and Model X) - pull down once on the cruise control stalk on the left of the steering column.
• (For Model 3 and Model Y) - pull down once on the gear selector stalk on the right of the steering column.

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Engaging Autosteer

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the Traffic-Aware Cruise Control feature, you may want to try out the Autosteer option. Autosteer assists in steering within a clearly marked lane, and uses traffic-aware cruise control. To engage the Autosteer feature:

• (For Model S and Model X) - pull towards you twice on the cruise control stalk on the left of the steering column.
• (For Model 3 and Model Y) - pull down twice on the gear selector stalk on the right of the steering column.

As helpful as these introductory steps are, we know that many users like to see the process in real time. For a walk through of the steps for setting up autopilot and to see this feature in practice, check out this video.

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2. Should I Get HomeLink?

Now that you know how to engage Autopilot, let's discuss the purpose of the Tesla HomeLink.

What is Tesla HomeLink?

The Tesla HomeLink is an automatic door opener that can control up to three devices. These devices include garage doors, gates, lights, and even security systems. This feature can be retrofitted and installed for Model 3’s and Model Y’s, and can be ordered through the Tesla online store. If you’re interested in a deeper walkthrough that discusses setting up the Tesla HomeLink, check out the walkthrough on HomeLink’s dedicated Tesla page.

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One of the main reasons Tesla owners opt for this feature is the ability to set up geofencing. Geofencing creates a virtual fence using the car’s built in GPS system. When a geofence border is crossed you will be able to initiate different actions. This feature will allow you to interface with the Tesla web services API to create custom geofencing triggered actions and alerts. With these advanced geofencing capabilities, you can configure your HomeLink to open a gate or a garage as you approach your home. 

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3. How Does the On-board Tesla Standard Connectivity Work?

Tesla Connectivity is an on-board feature that allows drivers to connect with applications that require data usage such as streaming music, media, traffic visualization, and more. Important to note, all Teslas come equipped with standard connectivity features, but Premium Connectivity supports enhanced connectivity features. This allows your Tesla to connect to different internet services, such as Spotify, Google Maps, and even Netflix.

Per Tesla’s support page, “ Premium Connectivity is available as a monthly subscription of $9.99 plus applicable tax and can be purchased at any time from your Tesla Account. Orders of Model S, Model X, Model Y and Model 3 with Premium Interior will receive a Premium Connectivity trial for one year after delivery.”

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Upgrading to Premium Connectivity comes with a number of added benefits, including:

• Live Traffic Visualization
• Satellite-View Maps
• Video Streaming
• Karaoke
• Music Streaming
• Internet Browsing

If you’re looking to learn more about premium connectivity, contact Tesla’s support team.

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4. What Time(s) Should I Charge My Tesla?

Like owning any new piece of technology, owning and maintaining a Tesla can be overwhelming at first. One of the many questions you may have is “How much does it really cost to charge my car, and when should I be charging it?” To put it simply, it depends. There are a wide variety of factors that affect how much it costs to charge your car and the best times to charge it. Depending on your electricity plan, the cost to charge your car can vary widely at different times of the day.

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Shown in the graph above, the price of electricity can change depending on the time of day. Power companies use many different pricing structures to charge electricity, but one of the most common is a variable plan. This means that during certain times of the day, when more electricity is being used in your area, you will be charged more for that usage.

Learning when may be the best time for you to charge your new Tesla may seem overwhelming, but there are some ways to mitigate the stress. Optiwatt is a free app that can learn from your electricity bill and show you your specific rates. It can even schedule your car to charge at the cheapest and most environmentally friendly times to give you a breakdown of exactly how much you really spend on powering your new car.

5. How Do I Get Updates Faster?

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Your Tesla stays up-to-date through over-the-air software updates. As you get used to these updates, you may find that they take a bit longer than you would hope. To combat this, there are several proactive measures that Tesla owners can take to ensure they are downloading these updates in the most efficient way possible. These include:

• Maximize the time your Tesla has Wi-Fi connectivity. Usually, your car will be configured to update whenever you aren’t using it, such as in the middle of the night, as long as it is connected to wifi.
• Set the software preferences to “Advanced” This will push out the software update as soon as possible. If you leave the “Advanced” software unselected, software updates will push out based on your VIN number selected by Tesla.
• If you happen to be encountering challenges with downloading software updates, reach out to Tesla chat. Tesla support can help if your update happens to get stuck, or your Tesla isn’t properly downloading updates.

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Additional Tesla Questions

Tesla ownership opens up a world of new opportunities. Whether through Tesla add-ons or third party services, drivers now have access to countless additional features to help them customize their experience and improve their ride. As you begin to learn about new features and ways to optimize your Tesla experience, make sure to check out educational resources specifically made for Tesla owners. 

Having questions about a new Tesla is understandable. Optiwatt can help answer some of your questions and provide a great starting point as you look to maintain healthy efficient charging practices.